George Fox University 
The information on this page was last updated 11/25/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
George Fox is Oregon's nationally recognized Christian university, providing students with personal attention, global opportunities to learn and serve, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth.
George Fox offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, 13 master's and doctoral degrees, five degree-completion programs for working adults, and seven seminary degrees on the university's campus in Newberg, Oregon, and at teaching sites in Portland, Salem and Redmond, Oregon.
Contact information
Mailing address:
George Fox University
414 N. Meridian St
Newberg, OR 97132
Website: georgefox.edu
Phone: 503-538-8383
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 930386839
CEO/President: Dr. Robin Baker
Chairman: Stephen Tatone
Board size: 30
Founder: Quaker pioneers
Ruling year: 1963
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
To be the Christian university of choice known for empowering students to achieve exceptional life outcomes.
Mission statement
George Fox University, a Christ-centered community, prepares students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion.
Statement of faith
The Trinity
We believe in one eternal God, the source and goal of life, who exists as three persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In love and joy, God creates and sustains the universe, including humanity, male and female, who are made in God's image.
God the Father
We believe in God the Father Almighty, whose love is the foundation of salvation and righteous judgment, and who calls us into covenant relationship with God and with one another.
God the Son
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word, who is fully God and fully human. He came to show us God and perfect humanity, and, through his life, death, and resurrection, to reconcile us to God. He is now actively present with us as Savior, Teacher, Lord, Healer, and Friend.
God the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who breathed God's message into the prophets and apostles, opens our eyes to God's Truth in Jesus Christ, empowers us for holy living, and carries on in us the work of salvation.
Salvation
We believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, to whom we must respond with repentance, faith, and obedience. Through Christ we come into a right relationship with God, our sins are forgiven, and we receive eternal life.
The Bible
We believe that God inspired the Bible and has given it to us as the uniquely authoritative, written guide for Christian living and thinking. As illumined by the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are true and reliable. They point us to God, guide our lives, and nurture us toward spiritual maturity.
The Christian Life
We believe that God has called us to be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to be God's agents of love and reconciliation in the world. In keeping with the teaching of Jesus, we work to oppose violence and war, and we seek peace and justice in human relationships and social structures.
The Church
We believe in the church as the people of God, composed of all who believe in Jesus Christ, who support and equip each other through worship, teaching, and accountability, who model God's loving community, and who proclaim the gospel to the world.
Christian Worship
We believe Christ is present as we gather in his name, seeking to worship in spirit and in truth. All believers are joined in the one body of Christ, are baptized by the Spirit, and live in Christ's abiding presence. Christian baptism and communion are spiritual realities, and, as Christians from many faith traditions, we celebrate these in different ways.
The Future
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, in the resurrection of the dead, in God's judgment of all persons with perfect justice and mercy, and in eternal reward and punishment. Ultimately, Christ's kingdom will be victorious over all evil, and the faithful will reign with him in eternal life.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 459 of 1118 | 50 of 127 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 553 of 1119 | 66 of 127 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 515 of 1119 | 60 of 127 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 434 of 1118 | 53 of 127 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $4,191,994 in government grants in 2023.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 24% | 26% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 16% | 7% | 7% | 9% | 5% | 3% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 84% | 93% | 93% | 91% | 95% | 97% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 85% | 86% | 85% | 87% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 94% | 91% | 86% | 94% | 94% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 80% | 78% | 74% | 82% | 81% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 6% | 9% | 14% | 6% | 6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 5% | 8% | 12% | 6% | 6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 0.58 | 0.55 | 0.50 | 0.64 | 0.64 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 2.15 | 2.06 | 2.21 | 2.40 | 2.55 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 1.26 | 1.12 | 1.11 | 1.55 | 1.64 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.92 | 7.27 | 7.23 | 6.67 | 4.98 | 4.98 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.20 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.38 | 8.22 | 9.21 | 9.15 | 6.20 | 5.85 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 25% | 32% | 30% | 30% | 31% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 18% | 18% | 15% | 18% | 20% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 128% | 126% | 138% | 108% | 107% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $47,029,429 | $20,627,513 | $6,003,112 | $7,454,843 | $28,292,583 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $4,458,472 | $2,504,369 | $2,973,020 | $1,198,127 | $2,637,800 |
| Short-term investments | $61,610,669 | $97,802,721 | $98,344,545 | $75,015,046 | $45,351,529 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $113,098,570 | $120,934,603 | $107,320,677 | $83,668,016 | $76,281,912 |
| Long-term investments | $86,350 | $85,221 | $85,221 | $85,221 | $85,221 |
| Fixed assets | $129,942,572 | $112,850,135 | $128,827,975 | $116,188,920 | $116,583,304 |
| Other long-term assets | $195,921 | $15,157,606 | $719,810 | $981,520 | $1,196,336 |
| Total long-term assets | $130,224,843 | $128,092,962 | $129,633,006 | $117,255,661 | $117,864,861 |
| Total assets | $243,323,413 | $249,027,565 | $236,953,683 | $200,923,677 | $194,146,773 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $5,324,552 | $7,028,874 | $8,182,277 | $8,280,975 | $7,871,174 |
| Other current liabilities | $10,242,203 | $9,696,023 | $7,918,745 | $8,528,038 | $7,447,266 |
| Total current liabilities | $15,566,755 | $16,724,897 | $16,101,022 | $16,809,013 | $15,318,440 |
| Debt | $44,424,662 | $45,346,163 | $34,709,903 | $36,829,432 | $38,927,472 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,697,562 | $16,441,535 | $21,107,949 | $7,444,436 | $5,858,246 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $46,122,224 | $61,787,698 | $55,817,852 | $44,273,868 | $44,785,718 |
| Total liabilities | $61,688,979 | $78,512,595 | $71,918,874 | $61,082,881 | $60,104,158 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $147,578,910 | $136,866,298 | $126,568,795 | $107,940,667 | $104,593,042 |
| With donor restrictions | $34,055,524 | $33,648,672 | $38,466,014 | $31,900,129 | $29,449,573 |
| Net assets | $181,634,434 | $170,514,970 | $165,034,809 | $139,840,796 | $134,042,615 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $10,207,587 | $10,452,111 | $12,127,993 | $7,516,708 | $4,565,394 |
| Program service revenue | $136,568,489 | $133,575,355 | $123,184,188 | $125,489,183 | $124,515,128 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $3,034,629 | $3,703,913 | $1,625,476 | $1,922,790 | $1,648,700 |
| Other revenue | $1,933,800 | $1,370,910 | $2,020,203 | $2,350,957 | $2,339,240 |
| Total other revenue | $141,536,918 | $138,650,178 | $126,829,867 | $129,762,930 | $128,503,068 |
| Total revenue | $151,744,505 | $149,102,289 | $138,957,860 | $137,279,638 | $133,068,462 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $120,891,998 | $116,633,598 | $102,180,483 | $111,972,751 | $107,611,427 |
| Management and general | $19,959,266 | $17,751,099 | $15,927,329 | $15,604,145 | $16,157,684 |
| Fundraising | $1,457,630 | $1,373,424 | $1,502,823 | $1,797,509 | $1,192,936 |
| Total expenses | $142,308,894 | $135,758,121 | $119,610,635 | $129,374,405 | $124,962,047 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $9,435,611 | $13,344,168 | $19,347,225 | $7,905,233 | $8,106,415 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $9,435,611 | $13,344,168 | $19,347,225 | $7,905,233 | $8,106,415 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Robin Baker | CEO/President | $498,331 |
| Vicki Piersall | CFO/VP of Finance & Treasury | $303,438 |
| Andrea Scott | Provost | $247,573 |
| Bob Harder | Executive Dean | $197,557 |
| Bradley Lau | VP Student Life | $195,006 |
| Curt Stilp | Associate Dean of Medical Science | $194,175 |
| Lindsay Knox | VP Enrollment & Marketing | $182,766 |
| David Cimbora | Executive Dean | $177,462 |
| Mary Peterson | Dean of Behavioral Health Sciences; Professor of P | $167,076 |
| Buhrow William | Dean - Student Services | $158,623 |
| Daley Shawn | Chief Strategy | $152,684 |
| Brian Doak | VP George Fox Digital | $143,716 |
| Nichole Drew | VP People & Culture | $133,501 |
| Arminda Lathrop | VP Advancement | $112,770 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 11/25/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
George Fox is the oldest Christian university in Oregon.
Land of the Kalapuya
The university's Newberg campus is located in the fertile Willamette River Valley where the Kalapuya and other native tribes maintained hunter-gatherer societies for thousands of years. Their way of life changed with western expansion. Following catastrophic epidemics and treaties with the U.S. government in the 1850s, most of the remaining Kalapuya were forced to join an estimated 1,000 native Americans on the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. Today tribal members still maintain their connection to their homelands and contribute significantly to the ongoing development of the region.
Humble Beginnings
Several decades after the forced removal of the Kalapuya, Quaker pioneers came to Newberg. One of the settlers' first priorities, along with the founding of their church, was the education of their children. They established the Friends Pacific Academy in 1885, which focused on Christian instruction. Among those first academy students was a future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover.
At the same time, the founding pioneers were looking ahead with the dream of a college to provide further and more advanced education. That time came on Sept. 9, 1891, with the opening of the doors of Pacific College. Fifteen students were enrolled the first day of classes.
Since then, the institution has seen major changes, including a name change. In 1949, because of the many "Pacific" colleges, the school was renamed "George Fox College" in honor of the founder of the Friends (Quaker) movement.
From Small College to Nationally Renowned
The college remained a small and intimate learning environment in the years following and received accreditation in 1959. Over the next 20 years, the college would add facilities and increase the academic rigor of its programs.
During the 1980s, George Fox adopted an innovative mindset and rapidly expanded its program offerings, which triggered a growth spurt that continued for the next 20 years. Among the additions was adult education: George Fox became the first college in the Northwest to offer degree-completion programs for working adults in 1986.
With the school's merger with Western Evangelical Seminary in 1996, the college changed its name to "George Fox University." During the next 12 years, the university experienced rapid growth, quadrupling in size.
George Fox Today
Today, more than 4,100 students attend George Fox, a nationally recognized Christian university that provides students with personal attention, global opportunities to learn and serve, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth.
The university offers more than 40 majors, adult degree programs, six seminary degrees, and 13 master's and doctoral degrees. In addition to a residential campus in Newberg, Oregon, classes are now taught in Portland, Salem and Redmond, Oregon.
Program accomplishments
We are an accredited nonprofit institution consistently ranked among the nation's top Christian colleges (Forbes) and are classified as a "Best National University" (U.S. News & World Report).
92% of undergraduate students are employed, accepted to graduate school or doing volunteer assignments within 12 months of graduation.